Early in April 2010, we opened our home and our hearts to our son and his family upon their return from a year of training at Defense Language Institute Foreign Language School in Monterey, California. Two months later, we said goodbye to John as he began his twelve month deployment to Iraq. His sweet wife and nine month old son remained behind. Has it been a challenge? Yes, for us ALL! Has it been an inconvenience? Perhaps at times. But what I want to share with you is this:
A young, pregnant wife with her small child, said goodbye to her husband not knowing the conditions in which he would live, the tasks that he would be assigned, nor what the outcome of his deployment would be.
I have observed a very strong and courageous young woman bear the burdens of raising a family alone in a home that was not her own, with a family that she had not been raised with. She endured many sleepless nights, illnesses of both child and dog, and numerous doctor and veterinarian visits. All alone in the hospital delivery room, she came close to the valley of the shadow of death to bring their baby into the world, not knowing if her husband would ever return to meet his daughter. She was determined to be self-sufficient and not to burden her in-laws, and other than a few times of being called upon to assist, she was just that!
She continued her solo adventure by searching for a home, signing documents, purchasing appliances, and with dignity endured the stress that comes from a move; including packing and making all the arrangements for movers, utilities, and such. Now, I observe her as she unpacks and organizes their new home. She waits however, on the major decisions of beautification so that he can contribute when he returns home from his deployment.
My son? Well, I have no knowledge of what he has had to endure other than the heat, perhaps food and drinking water and overall sanitary conditions, but most importantly, the separation from his family. Often people inquire about him, but there isn't much to report. How much CAN he share? Do we really want to know? The news becomes a necessary link to that part of the world of course, but also our worst enemy as we fearfully, and prayerfully watch, and wait for word that he is fine.
Like many of our soldiers, he is a dedicated family man. I know that he has suffered dearly being away from his sweet wife and very young children, and yet LIKE his brave wife, ne'er a complaint did he utter. His service to our country will more than likely go unnoticed to the general public. He, like most of our valiant men and women, is private and humble and does not desire attention at his graduations, promotions, or upon his return from deployment. They simply desire to do their jobs and return home safely to be with their families.
So, as I sit here in my now uncluttered home, cleaning and reorganizing, and spreading ourselves out now that there is an abundance of room, I ponder: What was our sacrifice, really? To be quieter in the home? To see clutter in several of the rooms? To give up the garage to their car, furniture and boxes? To have to schedule laundry days? To experience additional wear and tear on the home? To have to share my kitchen with another woman? Who truly had to make the greater sacrifice?
Over the past months, I have been blessed with an increased understanding of service: Service to GOD by serving others; Service to our FAMILIES, by being willing to share all that He has given us; Service to our COUNTRY, even if it means the possibility of the ultimate sacrifice.
As you and your loved ones celebrate the birth of our nation, I encourage you to remember those who have sacrificed much for our country...for you and for me, and for our posterity. Share this with your children and your grandchildren. Pray for, and if given the opportunity, thank a soldier or a veteran. Pray for and thank a spouse and the children that were left on the home front to bear all the daily burdens alone, all the while wondering....praying...and waiting for the day he is back in their arms and the family is whole. This is truly the land of the free, because of the brave.
God bless ALL our troops and those that love and miss them and sacrifice in our behalf as well. God bless AMERICA!
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